Tam Kernewek “ A bit of Cornish” Volume 32 Issue 3 Fall 2014 Cornish American Heritage Society Cornish American Heritage 48 Presidents’ Messages I can't believe the excitement of the 17th Gathering is over! It has been a whirlwind and a great success. The Cornish Society of Greater Milwaukee pulled it off well, if I do say so myself. Thanks to all the great presenters and Cornish Cous- ins who really made it a family reunion. It was a pleasure meeting many names I had only read before. I am so happy that Kathryn Herman has agreed to take over as president. After two years of working with her on the plan- ning committee, I know she is a woman of great organization and imagination. Her knowledge of Cornwall and connec- tions there will give the CAHS a direction I couldn't give. I will be happy to continue serving as an officer (historian), so I can work on projects for the Society. As I hand over the role of president to Kathryn, I will be finishing up some things started at the Gathering. (And Kathryn deserves to catch her breath!) Our business meeting was cut short. Ultimately that may be an advantage, since some questions might be better addressed via e-mails with the participants, rather than a hurried discussion we would have had there. If any of the CAHS members not present at the Gathering would like to be included in the discussion, please write me. Again, thanks to all for the great Gathering! It is now a matter of continuing the energy we had in Milwaukee. And the questions remains... Who will host the 18th Gathering in 2016? It has been a pleasure being your president and look forward to my future with CAHS. Oll an gwella (All the best), Tom Dear Members of the Cornish American Heritage Society, Coming from the 17th Gathering of the Cornish Cousins in Milwaukee, I am more aware than ever that the Cornish in America are a committed, dedicated, knowledgeable, hard-working, diverse, jolly, loving, and yes, a formidable group of people. If you were with us in Milwaukee, you witnessed it. As your new president, I am more aware than ever that in order to retain the significance of our rich heritage we not only want to celebrate among ourselves, but we want to share that richness with others outside the “tribe”. Sharing the effect of our immigrant ancestors on the New World will provide a lesson in American history, as their impact was, indeed, an important part of how this nation was shaped. The several years ahead when I hope to meet many of you around the country will be a joy for me. In that spirit, I would ask that you let me know of your activities, meetings, and celebrations so that I can plan to be with you at some of them. My husband, Vern, and I are always looking for an excuse to take a trip! You can reach me at [email protected], or at 222 Park Place, #476, Waukesha WI 53186, or at 262- 446-9406. I look forward to hearing from you. At the Gathering Bardic Ceremony the Presiding Bard asked “Is there Peace?”, and the participating Bards re- sponded, “Peace!” To which the Presiding Bard declared, “Since there is Peace, then LET US PROCEED.” Yes, let us proceed. Kathryn Herman, President Cornish American Heritage Society 49 John Wesley’s advice for the future of the Cornish Movement Cornish Gorsedh – 2014 th The big question at the 17 Gathering in Milwaukee was: How can At the annual Open Gorsedh to be held this year we pass on the tradition? We face dilution of our bloodlines and aging of our most loyal members. There was insufficient time to in Torpoint in the Tamar Valley, on Saturday, answer the question but we came up with some seeds of ideas. September 6, twenty-three initiates will be awarded Bardship. Five of the candidates re- Some urged that we must renew efforts to engage younger people. side outside of the British Isles. Someone else suggested that we broaden our reach to people with no Cornish connection and interest them in our culture and history. Wendy Benoit, Victoria, Robert Lloyd, Bendigo, A practical suggestion was that we further modernize our communi- and Derek Richard Trewarne, Victoria for their cation and make energetic use of social media. And that got me work for Cornwall in Australia, Jean Harry, thinking. Cambridge, New Zealand for her continuing work for Cornwall in New Zealand, and Ronan During the years of researching and writing The Miner & the Vis- count my passion strengthened to tell the story of the county of my Tremel, Kalleg, Brittany by examination in the birth, our roots. My early readers who have never yet been to Corn- Cornish language and continuing work for Corn- wall and know little about it tell me that they are now fascinated to wall. learn more. They are amazed at the contributions of our ancestors to invention, art, writing, education, mining, farming, exploration, Ronan is one of ten candidates who have quali- empire, government, religion, daring, freedom. They admire the fied by examination in the Cornish language. In pluck, the determination and the independence of our forebears. addition, Ronan is recognized for continuing work for Cornwall. Many of us tell the story of Cornwall and the history of our fami- lies. Let more of us build on that telling and leverage it, broadcast Tommi O’Hagan our message, publicize our doings, reach more people, network. Let Source: www.gorsethkernow.org.uk us contribute to our wonderful newsletter Tam Kernewek, contact ************************************************************ our Cousin Jack website, bring more people to our excellent Gath- erings, support our national and local societies, participate in organ- izing our meetings and events. "Diaspora” is a term derived from a Greek verb meaning scattered or spread. It's used in refer- We have the tools of social media lying at our feet: Facebook, Twit- ence to a scattered population with a common ter, Linked-In, and many more. Let us use them widely. “Friend” origin in a smaller geographic area and/or the our fellows who tell our story; “follow” and “retweet” those who movement of the population or a portion of the preach our message; “link” to build connections. Surely there are experts in our midst who can teach us how to use these strategies population from its original homeland. Thus, all effectively. of us with ancestors in Cornwall who have 'scattered' to the USA, Canada, New Zealand, John Wesley used the tools of his day to spread his gospel. His core Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Chile, belief was in social holiness, helping each other. In the funeral sce- Mexico, (the list goes on and on) are part of the ne at Pendeen (Chapter 56 of The Miner & the Viscount”) I quoted from a hymn the line, “That I might fight befriended.” Then the Diaspora. preacher spoke passionately to the tinners’ families gathered in the Tommi O’Hagan Methodist chapel: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - “I urge that we sitting in this chapel today enter into a cov- enant blessed by God to befriend each other in a profound way. John Wesley has taught us of the importance of our personal faith, but he has also taught us that our faith must show us how to take good works into our community in practical ways. We must reach outside our own families, and ourselves to our neighbors and our fellow workers. Mr. Wesley has written that: “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness.” We have been given the gift of social media. Let us accept it with gratitude and use it with energy. Dick Baker on the Palmyra tour at cemetery in Little Prairie, Wis- consin. His family settled in the town when they came to Wiscon- Richard Hoskin sin from Cornwall. 50 Keep Cornwall whole, say politicians 17th Gathering By cg_graham Evaluation Form Summary Posted: July 05, 2014 WHAT I LIKED West Briton August 9, 2014 Workshops were excellent westbriton.com General session for major topics Presenters prepared and very professional Enjoyed the “intellectual” aspect of this Gathering GREAT BRASS BAND GREAT ART CURATOR Paul Tyler Generally liked the events I attended Format was good LIKED THE BRASS BAND Presentations were good! Good variety of subjects, good Politicians from all three of the major parties have welcomed a presenters Interacting with others interested in Cornwall report advocating that any new review of Parliamentary constitu- Having Cornish guests ency boundaries should respect the Cornish border. Good mix of general sessions and workshops Last year MPs rejected plans to reduce their numbers from 650 Well-organized…sessions on time to 600, which would have meant at least one Cornish constitu- Having many attendees at same hotel ency being “shared” with Devon. The Boundary Commission is GATHERING PLACE A GOOD IDEA required, as far as possible, to ensure that all Parliamentary Length of Gathering seats hold roughly equal numbers of voters and this had posed GOOD MUSIC, as always a threat to the existing North Cornwall and South East Cornwall Friendly people constituencies. Good-sized box lunch The Commission is again due to begin the multi-million pound Vendors were present during most of the Gathering Zelazo Center was very conducive to programs…all in one project of radically redrawing constituency boundaries once place again in 2016, unless Parliament amends the law next year. GATHERING PLACE WAS EXCELLENT Existing constituencies vary massively in size between different Very well organized parts of the UK, with some Welsh seats containing as few as Liked the general sessions 40,687 voters while the Isle of Wight constituency contains Very interesting presenters around 111,109.